D-Black

Last updated
D-Black
DBlack at 3 Music Awards 22 50.jpg
Background information
Birth nameDesmond Kwesi Blackmore
Also known asDa Ghana Bwouy
Born (1987-01-12) 12 January 1987 (age 37)
Accra, Ghana
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • entrepreneur
InstrumentVocals
Years active2009–present
LabelsBlack Avenue Muzik

Desmond Kwesi Blackmore (born January 12, 1987), [1] [2] known by his stage name D-Black, is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana. [3] He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul" [4]

Contents

Early life

D-Black attended Ridge Church School then to Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary [5] before the University of Cape Coast to study B.A Economics and University Of Ghana, Legon to study BFA Theatre Arts/Music.

Personal life

D-Black was born to a Ghanaian mother Adeline Boateng and a half Ghanaian half English father, John Derek Blackmore. He has 3 children. [6] D-Black has nine siblings. The known ones are Pamela Blackmore, Anthony Blackmore, George Blackmore and Stanley Blackmore. [7]

Career

D-Black had an Incredible career spanning over a decade. In 2009, D-Black [8] began his career as an independent artist in the group D-Black & Kwaku T releasing a group album ‘Target Practice’. In 2010 D-Black and his rap partner both went solo. He went on to release three albums (Music, Love and Life, The Revelation, Lightwork’ 1 E.P (Smoke and Mirrors) and 1 mix-tape (Hunger & Thirst) over the years. He has been nominated for numerous awards and won several, including the 2011 BET Awards. [9]

He has collaborated with some African acts including Davido, Mayorkun, M.I, Phyno, Ice Prince, Seyi Shay from Nigeria, Cassper Nyovest, Bucie, HHP from South Africa, Stanley Enow from Cameroon, Stella Mwangi from Kenya and Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania as well as Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, StoneBwoy, Castro, Bisa Kdei, Efya, King Promise, Kuami Eugene E.L, Kwabena Kwabena, VVIP and more from his homeland Ghana. [10] [11] [ citation needed ] D-Black's journey from a young dreamer in Accra to a celebrated musician and entrepreneur is a testament to his resilience, talent and unwavering determination. [12]

In 2012, the musician released an album titled "The Revelation," which helped solidify his reputation as both a business mogul and rapper. He collaborated with notable artists such as Sarkodie, among others, further establishing his influence in the music industry. [1]

D-Black, the multi-talented artist and entrepreneur, proudly represents Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka as its official brand ambassador in Ghana. Additionally, he secured a marketing partnership with Black Sun Energy Drink, showcasing his prowess in the beverage industry. With his distinctive style, he fronts his own Black Avenue Clothing Line, embodying fashion and sophistication. Notably, D-Black previously served as the esteemed brand ambassador for The Rlg Brand of VIVA phones in the West African Sub Region in 2013, highlighting his wide-ranging influence and expertise across various sectors. [2]

Black Avenue Muzik

D-Black is the CEO of record label Black Avenue Muzik, [2] with act including himself, DJ Breezy, S3fa, as well as music producer Rony Turn Me Up and Paul Noun. [13] Former acts include Joey B, [14] Freda Rhymz, Dahlin Gage, Ms. Forson, Osayo & Nina Ricchie & Wisa Greid. [15] It won record label of the year at the 2018 Ghana - Naija Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. [16] and was nominated for the record label of the year at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York. [17]

Other ventures

Black Avenue Clothing

Founded in 2012, a design company, marketer and importer of men and women's apparel. [18]

Livewire Events

Livewire Events is an events management company founded in 2015. In 2015 they produced the Bukom Banku vs Ayittey Powers boxing match at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. It included performances from Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Efya. [19] Other notable events include the 2018 Kundum Festival Jam in Axim for the Ministry of Tourism. [20]

Black Avenue Films/TV

He produced Why Should I Get Married movie starring John Dumelo, Maria Nepembe, Princess Shyngle, Eya, Prince David Osei, [21] and The EFGH Show hosted by Peace Hyde in 2015. [22]

Hospitality

D-Black as an entrepreneur owns Club Onyx, Oasis Lounge and La Maison restaurant all businesses within the hospitality industry in Ghana. [23]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards and nominations

YearEventAwardSongResults
2009Channel O Music Video AwardsBest West AfricanMoveNominated
2010Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsHip-Hop / Hip-life Song of the YearBreatheNominated [24]
Music Video of the YearBreatheWon
Museke African Music AwardsMusic Video of the YearBreatheNominated
African Music Awards, LondonMusic Video of the YearBreatheWon
Channel O Music Video Awards, South AfricaBest Hip-hopBreatheNominated
Best Music VideoBreatheNominated
Sound City Music Awards, NigeriaBest CollaborationSomebodyNominated
Best New VideoBelieveNominated
4SYTE Music Video AwardsBest Overall VideoBreatheNominated
Best Storyline in a VideoBreatheWon [25]
Best Directed VideoBreatheNominated
Best Collaboration in a VideoBreatheWon
Best Group VideoBreatheNominated
2011Ghana Music AwardsHip hop/ Hip-life Artist of the YearNoneNominated [26]
Hip hop Song of the YearGet on Da DancefloorWon
Songwriter of the YearSomebodyNominated
Collaboration of the YearSomebodyNominated
Album of the YearMusic, Love & LifeNominated
BET AwardsBest International Artist of the Year (Africa)-Nominated [27]
Ghana Gospel Industry AwardsAlternate Gospel Song of the yearSomebodyNominated [28]
Alternate Gospel Video of the yearSomebodyWon
Channel O Music Video AwardsBest African WestGet on Da DancefloorNominated
4Syte Music Video AwardsBest Photography in a videoSomebodyNominated [29]
Best Hip-hop VideoGet on da dancefloorNominated
Best Collaboration in a videoSomebodyNominated
Best Edited VideoGet on Da DancefloorNominated
Music Video AwardsBest African ActGet on Da DancefloorNominated
Ghana Hip-hop AwardsThe Next Big Thing Award-Won
Male Hip-hop Artiste(of the Decade)- [30]
Hip-hop album (of the Decade)-Nominated
Best CollaborationBreatheNominated
Hip-hop Artiste of the year-Won
2012Ghana Music AwardsHip-hop Song of the yearMy Kinda GirlNominated [31]
Music Video of the yearMy Kinda GirlNominated
Album of the YearThe RevelationNominated
HSH AwardsMost Influential Artiste-Won
Hip-hop World AwardsBest International Artiste-Nominated
Channel O Music Video AwardsBest West Africa videoFallingWon
MTN 4SYTE Music Video AwardsBest CollaborationFallingWon
2013Ghana Music AwardsArtist of the year-Nominated [32]
Song of the YearVeraNominated
Hip-life Song of the YearVeraNominated
Hip-hop Song of the YearFallingNominated
Hip-hop/Hip-life Artiste of the Year-Nominated
Ghana Music Awards UKSong of the yearVeraWon
Collaboration of the yearVeraWon
Channel O Music Video AwardsBest Africa WestVeraNominated [33]
2015Ghana Music AwardsHip-life Song of the YearSeihorWon
20164Syte Music Video AwardsMale Video of the YearKotomoshiWon [34]
Hiplife Video of the YearKotomoshiNominated
Best Directed Video of the YearKotomoshiNominated
Most Influential Artist of the YearD-BlackNominated
2017Ghana Movie AwardsSoundtrack the YearD-Black ft. EfyaWon
4Syte Music Video AwardsHiplife Video of the YearBottlesWon [35]
Male Video of the YearBottlesNominated
Photography Video of the YearBottlesNominated
201840 Under 40 AwardsEntrepreneur the Year (Hospitality)D-Black (Club Onyx)Won
2019Ghana Entertainment Awards AwardsArtist / Entrepreneur of the YearD-BlackWon
20223Music AwardsArtist of the YearHimselfNominated [36]
Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the YearEnjoyment Minister

ft. Quamina MP, Stonebwoy

Nominated
Hiplife/Hip Hop Act of the YearHimselfNominated
Album of the YearLoyaltyNominated

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